Tertiary institutions told to focus on practical and technical skills
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has challenged technical colleges to realign their training programmes to conform to the dynamics of industrial needs.
Magoha (pictured) said the institutions should shift from being exam-orientated to offering practical skills that will adequately prepare students for the labour market.
Speaking yesterday during the ninth graduation ceremony at the Kisumu National Polytechnic, the CS said the learning centres should aim at training students for creation of jobs and not to be job seekers after school.
“Our Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) institutions must be focused on training and skilling students with hands-on skills to prepare them to be able to create jobs for themselves. Tendency of learners going out to look for jobs after graduating should end.”
At the same time, the CS stated that there was a need for change of mindset among the youths regarding technical skills delivered at Tvet institutions. While reiterating the government’s commitment to develop the technical training colleges, Magoha said such institutions had become integral in dissemination of skills contrary to the perception that universities were the preferred places for skilled training.
The CS was accompanied by Technical and Vocational Education Training PS Margaret Mwakima.
Mwakima said the government has continued to invest in modernising and expanding the Tvets to respond to the growing industrial needs.
